Rodrigues lauds organic pine farm

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues on Friday toured an organic pineapple farm and processing facility in the adjoining Mainstay/Whyaka communities during a visit to commission a new road built in the region. 
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Rodrigues was taken on a guided tour by Toshao Yvonne Pearson during an outreach exercised aimed at assessing the communities’ needs. Rodrigues said the communities have a vibrant economic pineapple project not found anywhere else in the country. “I will encourage other leaders of various communities to visit Mainstay and see the economic projects that are used to develop the community,” she said. The minister was also informed about the various species of trees found in the community’s Heritage Park which is a ‘women’s’ project. Rodrigues said she is pleased with the group’s accomplishments and it indicated that it has other projects planned to boost tourism in the community.
Residents said they were grateful for the new road though they said the area also needed a new well. Pearson also said the communities are working to expand their development projects to produce more food and create more employment. Rodrigues urged the village council to maintain its strong leadership role as it has significantly raised the villagers’ living standards.